“Not so much red or blue – grey would be better.”
The overwhelming feeling around the 196th Manchester derby was neatly summed up by a comment posted on the BBC Sport website.
It might be a stretch to claim, as one respondent did, it was ‘the worst derby match in the world’. But the sentiment encapsulated the mood.
“It’s a Manchester derby,” seethed former United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports after the dull goalless draw at Old Trafford. “It should have more blood, thunder, risk, and courage involved in playing the game.
“The congratulations and love-in I’m watching says both teams are happy with 0-0. It looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner together now.”
United head coach Ruben Amorim has not been in England long but the former Sporting boss has worked a few things out.
“I understand everything,” he said. “Gary Neville is critical about everything. I understand that part.”
Amorim’s assessment was a simple one. How could anyone expect a reprise of the great games of the past, from either the red or blue sides of the great Mancunian divide, given where the two teams are at the moment?
City remain outside the top four, which would guarantee qualification for the Champions League next season.
More pertinently, while they remain fifth – which will almost certainly secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition – they will drop down if Newcastle win either of their two matches in hand, starting with Monday’s home match against nearly doomed Leicester.
“I understand we are, in the moment, doing the worst season in history,” said Amorim. “Manchester City won everything in the past but this season are struggling.
“We are not in the best moments to give the best spectacle to every fan. When we are not fighting for the big things, of course it’s different.
“You have to look at the context of the game. I understand the critical aspect of players that played in this game in a different way, because they were fighting for the titles every time.”
Unsurprisingly, another outspoken former United captain wasn’t having any of that.
“They get interviewed as if a draw isn’t too bad,” Roy Keane said. “A draw doesn’t get you anywhere fast. It isn’t good enough.
“Forget the top teams. I’m on about competing with Brentford and Crystal Palace and Wolves and all these teams. Are you telling me Man Utd should be behind them, even with this group of players?”
For context, United – on course for their worst-ever Premier League season – are six points ahead of Wolves. Brentford, one place above them in 12th, are four points ahead.
There were also post-match chants against the Glazer family from home fans who stayed behind, determined to crank up pressure on the American majority owners, who they blame for United’s parlous state.
But Amorim and City boss Pep Guardiola have to set aside the noise to deliver significant improvement.
“You see the numbers of players who have been at the top for four, five, six years,” said Guardiola. “This year, we drop. It’s not one, it’s all of them – that’s why we are struggling to win games.”
“That was one of the dullest Manchester derbies I’ve seen,” Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It tells you where the clubs are at. Both have a lot of work to do in the summer.”
